POSITION INFORMATION:

DUTY LOCATIONS:

WHO MAY APPLY:

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN):780360(Please include on all documents)

RELOCATION AND RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED

Salary will be determined by the Professional Standards Board based on experience and education.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is an employer of choice as the center of excellence in patient care, education and research. The agency offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veteans Affairs, go to website: http://www.vacareers.va.gov/

This position is located in the Mental Health Service Line. The incumbent serves as the Program Coordinator for the Trauma Recovery Program (TRP).

KEY REQUIREMENTS

U. S. Citizenship

Must pass pre-employment examination

English Language Proficiency required

Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required

Background and-or Security Investigation required

DUTIES:

The psychologist applies advanced strategies to a full range of patient problems in the Mental Health Service Line. Perform/utilize sensitive psychological assessment techniques, diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. Exercise judgment in the selection of or adaptation of standard and accepted psychological theories, techniques, and practices in treating patients or developing new techniques and programs for the treatment of clinical populations. The primary job functions of the psychologist include the provision of direct psychological patient care, consultation services on difficult or complex cases, education of staff and trainee supervision. In addition to clinical activities, the incumbent will provide coordination of the Trauma Recovery Program (TRP), including programmatic management of professional staff related to the provision of TRP services. Independently provides specialized psychological services at all levels of complexity for combat-related PTSD patients, with service delivery to include intake evaluation, diagnostic assessments, psychotherapy and case management. Performs clinically indicated evaluations for outpatient and inpatient populations. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual therapy, group therapy, and psycho-education classes. Best practices, practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions. Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues to include patient's decision-making capacity regarding health care. Develops person-centered, culturally sensitive treatment plans to address mental health needs of patients. Conducts evaluations to aid in the differential diagnosis of complex cases. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. Oversees the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within the TRP program using data-driven quality assurance processes. Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORK SCHEDULE: FULL-TIME (ALTERNATE TOUR OF DUTY MAY BE REQUIRED)

TRAVEL: POSITION MAY REQUIRE OCCCAISIONAL TRAVEL.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS: Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions, VA Handbook 5005, and Individual Occupational Requirements for GS-0180. Qualification Standards are available for review in HRMS.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.

Education: Applicants must possess a doctoral degree in Psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.

AND

Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that has been accredited by APA.

Licensure: Psychologist must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice pschology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.

Experience: GS-13 Applicants must possess two years of professional experience appropriate to the specialty area of the position equivalent to the next lower grade level (i.e clinical experience comparable to two years of employment as a psychologist).

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: The experience must indicate the applicant's ability to perform the duties of a psychologist in the area of work and at the level of difficulty and responsibility of the grade for which being considered.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE: The required amount of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. Your record of education and experience must clearly demonstrate that you have the ability to perform the duties of the position. The primary consideration is the quality and level of experience. Part time experience will be prorated in calculating the amount of qualifying experience.

Time in grade restriction apply.

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

The critical element identified below will be used as the basis to determine the best-qualified applicants.

You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

You must meet time-in-grade restrictions by the closing date of this announcement.

You will be required to make occasional travel.

Applicants for this position must pass a pre-employment medical examination.

Veterans' Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD Form 214 or other proof prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

BENEFITS:

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www4.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp .

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

HOW TO APPLY:

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the right side of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

YOU MUST INCLUDE VA FORM 10-2850c IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY. You may upload the completed form to your USAJOBS or Application Manager account if you apply online. Then you can use the uploaded form again and again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide (http://www4.va.gov/OHRM/joblistings/uploading-and-using-documents-online.doc) for more information on uploading and re-using the form in your applications. Other required forms and documents can also be saved in your account and used the same way. Applicants are urged to apply online; this process is much easier and faster.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application, just reapply through your account in USAJOBS. Check your account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Login.aspx ) to see the status of your application after applying, including any messages that may have been sent to you.

Fax the completed 1203FX form along with all supporting documents to (478)757-3144. Your 1203FX form must be placed on top of all materials being faxed and will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.

Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:

Complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID: 780360. You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application.

Fax your documents to (478)757-3144.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Thursday, November 29, 2012.

Copy of most current SF-50- Notification of Personnel Action (required)

Copy of current Licensure (required)

If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 (required). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf).

If currently employed in the VA system, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (required).

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After we receive your complete application package (including any required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic requirements. You will be notified when this decision is made.